Olidammara
Title(s)
The Laughing Rogue, The Merry Thief, The Master of Revels, Lord of Wine and Song
Alignment
Chaotic Neutral
Symbol
A grinning mask, representing trickery, joy, and the art of deception. The mask is often depicted in gold or silver and is used in various forms by Olidammara’s followers, either as an amulet or an actual mask worn during performances or rituals.
Domains
Trickery, Chaos, Luck, Charm
Followers and Clergy
Olidammara's followers include bards, rogues, beggars, thieves, and anyone who enjoys life’s pleasures. His clergy are a colorful and diverse group, often blending their religious duties with other occupations, such as entertainers, vintners, or messengers. They wear comfortable, casual clothes, usually in earthy tones like browns, greens, and blacks. Some members of the faith wear an actual mask as a holy symbol during ceremonies or performances, while others simply carry an amulet or signet engraved with a depiction of the mask. There is no formal hierarchy within the clergy, as Olidammara’s followers value freedom and spontaneity above all else. Respect is given to those who embody the Laughing Rogue’s ideals through wit, charm, and a refusal to take life too seriously.
Worship Practices
Worship of Olidammara is informal and often takes the form of spontaneous celebrations. Followers gather for feasts, music, and drinking, with the aim of creating joy and sharing laughter. Rituals are flexible and may include songs, dances, practical jokes, or storytelling. There is no specific time or place for worship; followers celebrate Olidammara whenever and wherever they feel moved to do so. His holy sites are often taverns, inns, theaters, or even hidden dens of thieves. Small shrines to Olidammara can be found anywhere, from roadside piles of stones to carvings in the walls of city alleys. Offerings left at his shrines usually consist of coins, a cup of wine, or a morsel of food. His followers believe that life’s pleasures are the greatest tribute to the Laughing Rogue.
Character and Doctrine
Olidammara embodies chaos, freedom, and the joy of living. He teaches his followers to avoid predictability, embrace spontaneity, and delight in the simple pleasures of life. Wine, music, laughter, and good company are sacred to Olidammara, and he encourages his followers to seek out happiness wherever they can find it. The Laughing Rogue holds that misery, solemnity, and self-denial are poisons to the soul, while humor, chaos, and trickery are virtues that keep the spirit alive. His religion does not have a single holy text; instead, it includes numerous contradictory collections of parables and songs that capture his ever-changing nature. The faith teaches that chaos is essential to life, and that material wealth should not be valued above the joy of experience.
Manifestations and Interventions
Olidammara often appears as a slender, olive-skinned young man with chestnut hair, merry green eyes, and a rakish beard, but his magical mask allows him to take any form. He may manifest during celebrations or moments of revelry, often appearing as a fellow reveler who encourages the party to become even more lively. His favored instrument, the Kantele of the Oldest, is said to possess the power to conjure illusions, create real matter, and influence emotions like clay in the hands of a sculptor. When Olidammara intervenes, it is usually through subtle tricks, fortunate coincidences, or sudden bursts of inspiration for a clever escape or a good-natured prank.
Divine Relationships and Stories
Olidammara has few enemies, as his unpredictable nature makes it difficult for other gods to pin him down. He is known to have a friendly rivalry with Kord, the storm god, often competing with him in contests of strength or drinking. Olidammara is also known to play tricks on more serious gods, such as St. Cuthbert or Pholtus, whose rigid adherence to order he finds particularly amusing. His followers tell countless stories of the Laughing Rogue outwitting gods and mortals alike, using his wit and trickery to turn even the direst situations to his advantage. Some myths claim that Olidammara once stole secrets from the gods themselves and hid them within the verses of his songs.
Sacred Items and Symbols
Olidammara’s sacred items include his magical instrument, the Kantele of the Oldest, which is said to be able to shape reality through music. Other sacred items may be instruments, wineskins, or objects associated with revelry and performance. His grinning mask is used in ceremonies or worn by his followers during celebrations. Olidammara’s followers may carry charms made from silver bells, feathers, or other small trinkets that can be used to perform tricks or illusions. Anything associated with music, storytelling, or festivities can be considered a sacred item in his faith.
Temples and Shrines
Temples dedicated to Olidammara are often converted inns, taverns, theaters, or guild halls for rogues and entertainers. These places serve as centers for revelry and celebration, where his followers can gather to enjoy music, dancing, and good company. Temples may feature stages, areas for feasting, and hidden compartments for illicit activities. Shrines to Olidammara can be found in nearly any location, from pubs and city alleys to forest clearings where travelers have left offerings. These shrines are typically adorned with small tokens such as wine bottles, musical instruments, or carvings of his grinning mask. His followers believe that any place where people gather for joy and laughter is sacred to the Laughing Rogue.
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